Starting a project can be one of the trickiest steps of the whole process. If you don’t make the foundation of a house right, the floors above aren’t going to turn out well. The same goes for beginning a book. Having a good book is necessary for one major reason: to hook the reader. If the audience isn’t interested after the first sentence, they might not read the rest of the paragraph. If the paragraph isn’t very appealing, they might put your book back on the shelf. If they make it all the way to the end of the first chapter and still are bored, then your unfortunate reader is probably not going to finish anything else in your book. Why should they? Your beginning did not interest them. If you are doing something so boring you want to stop, you usually do stop. There is no good reason to waste time on something that doesn’t interest you.
But how do you write a beginning that interests your reader? That’s what we’re going to go over today.
First off, I’m going to ask you a personal question.
What’s your favorite book? (Okay that might not have been personal to some people… but my favorite book is like a best friend)
My favorite books are a series called Gormenghast. The book begins by describing a curious inhabitant and his dwelling inside a huge, ancient castle called Gormenghast. The beautiful language and the stunning way in which the author, Mervyn Peake, unfolds the epic story makes it a masterpiece which I am easily able to label as my favorite books.
The beginning of the first book was extremely appropriate because even though the first person described is a very unimportant character, he provided a perfect way to introduce the reader to the castle through his eyes and expose the audience to the ancient traditions and rules that governed the castle.
The beginning of your favorite book is a good beginning for some reason. Perhaps you love it because the first sentences are so unique that the book stands out. Maybe you like it because of the descriptive language that quickly shows you the setting or character. Maybe the beginning is symbolic, or funny, or shocking, or just sounds nice. Whatever the reason, your favorite beginning is a favorite because the author was trying to accomplish one goal: hook the reader while adequately introducing the story.
Now you need to think about your story. What are you writing about? What is the general style of your book? What is the first event that happens within the first chapter?
These are all factors that play a big role in starting your book. Are you writing a fantasy book about magic? Maybe your intro should involve a fight between two wizards. Is your book a comedy? Have something funny in your first sentence.
Maybe you don’t even know what you want to have as your beginning. You know what’s going to happen after the first chapter. You’ve already planned the end. But what on earth should you do to catch the attention of your reader?
Now I’m going to say something that will shock you. If you can’t think of anything for a beginning, don’t bother writing one. Many people write the beginning after they finish the end. The first chapter often changes or is rewritten no matter how nice you think your beginning is. I’m about to rewrite my first chapter in the book I’m currently writing because I don’t like it. Halfway through your book you will probably realize that maybe the focus shifted a little and your beginning doesn’t accurately introduce the topic. I’ve changed the beginning of all four of the books I’ve finished. It’s normal. Don’t stress over it.
Sometimes you can’t possibly know what to make for a beginning because you don’t even know for sure what happens in the rest of the book. You need to have some of your story written out to know what would be best.
So for now, simply write what you have in mind for a beginning. Later on in the book, you’ll think of something better.
I do have a few warnings for you, though. Your beginning is important, so you should treat it like it is. Ask your friends or other people you trust if the beginning catches their attention.
I also would avoid generic, overused beginnings. Some of these include the character running away from something or being inside a dream. If you have to use these, try to give it a creative twist. Having a unique beginning that makes someone remember your book is better than something that blends with the rest of the books on the shelf.
Whatever you choose for your first sentence, paragraph, and chapter, make sure it fits with your book. Don’t have a different style of writing than what you find in the rest of the book.
Putting the first words on paper may seem daunting, but it’s more intimidating than it is difficult if you know how to do it. So pick up that pen and start writing!
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